How do I know when to water a Paph

[RosieC]

Ok, so I'm a Phal grower usually and I've got watering of those all sorted.

But now I have this Paph and all the advise I have read is that it should not be allowed to dry out and likes to be more moist than Phals.

So how do I judge when I should water it?

With my Phals I wait till they are completely dry, but if I'm not meant to do that for the Paph then I am worried I will end up overwatering if I water when they are still damp.

Does anyone have any tips on how to judge the watering required for a Paph?

[billc]

Hi Rosie, It depends on what sort of medium your growing in. If you have it in a bark mix, try a wooden skewer or popsicle stick and stick it down into the mix. When you pull it out and it's starting to dry, it's time to water. I find it works out to 2x a week in the Northeast
U.S., growing on a east windowsill. Hope that helps.

Bill

[Sandy4453]

I'm not a big Paph grower, only have a few but I've never read anything other than that Paph's should never completely dry out. I've always read, just slightly wetter than Phals and never completely. BUT.... I never let Phals completey dry out either. I'm much more successful with them since I began watering more frequently and the same goes for my Paphs. Hope this helps.

[quiltergal]

I also water 2X a week, and I'm in the Pacific Northwest. The way I can tell they need water is by pot weight. I know how heavy they feel after watering, and usually by mid-week the pots are pretty light so I water.

[Blueszz]

I've two Pahps (one new, so that one doesn't count ;-)) The older plant I keep evenly moist, but *slightly* moist and it didn't mind flushing and being wetter for a short time.
I noticed lack of growth when I kept it too "dry" (read: not moist enough). I too would say use a skewer as an indication when to water it when you can't feel it by the weight of the pot.

Nicole

[RosieC]

Thanks everyone. I should have said that it's in bark (mixed with some small stones as well).

OK, so there is a skewer in it for holding the flower spike and I have been using that to judge how wet the bark was low down.

I guess my worry is that with Phals I would do the same thing but wait till it comes out dry. If I'm not menat to let this Paph dry out then what is the difference between the skewer when it's wet enough and the skewer when it's still damp but ready for watering.

I'm afraid I'm somewhat confused

I'll try using the weight of the pot, but I've not managed to work out judging that yet.

I've had this Paph a week now and I've watered once when I first got it (because it seemed very dry) once in mid week and then again yesterday. Yesterday I actually nocked out some of the bark from the top of the roots to take a peek at them and the bark seemed semi-dry so I watered again when I put it back.

I don't want to take the bark out every time to judge it though

[snow]

if the media looks dry; i lift the pot if it is light i,ll water if not; i wait a couple of days.
most orchids are not killed by overwatering.
when in doubt; wait 2 days.

[RosieC]

Thanks Snow. I'll give that a try.